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Molly's Pilgrim

Name: Molly's Pilgrim
Author: Barbara Cohen
ISBN: 9780688162801

by Barbara Cohen, Daniel Duffy (Illustrator), Daniel Mark Duffy

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Overview

Sparkling new illustrations refresh this Thanksgiving classic based on the true experience of a member of Barbara Cohen's family. The touching story tells how recent immigrant Molly leads her third-grade class to discover that it takes all kinds of pilgrims to make a Thanksgiving. Originally published in 1983, Molly's Pilgrim inspired the 1986 Academy Award winning live-action short film.

Told to make a Pilgrim doll for the Thanksgiving display at school, Molly is embarassed when her mother tries to help her out by creating a doll dressed as she herself was dressed before leaving Russia to seek religious freedom.

Synopsis

Sun Chronicle

Molly wants to go back to Russia. The girls in her third-grade class make fun of Molly's imperfect english and her peasant-looking clothes. Her mother reminds her they can't go back to Russia; the reason they came to America was to escape religious persecution, and it would be very dangerous to return. To make matters worse, Molly's teacher gives the class a project for Thanksgiving. Not only has Molly never heard of Thanksgiving, but she is supposed to make a Pilgrim doll out of a clothespin for the class display. That evening, her mother offers to help, and when Molly takes her doll to school the next day, the children tease her, saying her doll doesn't look like a Pilgrim. But Molly defends her position, explaining why the doll her mother made is a pilgrim. With the help of the teacher, the entire class soon realizes that not only is Molly right, but it really does take "all kinds of Pilgrims to make a Thanksgiving." First published in 1983 and in its second printing, this strong and important story easily ranks as one of the best choices for this and every Thanksgiving.

About the Author, Barbara Cohen

Barbara Cohen (1932-1992) was the author of several acclaimed picture books and novels for young readers, including The Carp in the Bathtub, Yussel's Prayer: A Yom Kippur Story, Thank You, Jackie Robinson, and King of the Seventh Grade.

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Editorials

ALA Booklist

“A thought-provoking Thanksgiving read-aloud.”

Sun Chronicle

“This strong and important story easily ranks as one of the best choices for this and every Thanksgiving.”

Sun Chronicle

Publishers Weekly - Publisher's Weekly

A Russian immigrant girl adjusts to the American celebrations of Thanksgiving and birthdays, respectively. Ages 5-8; 6-10. (Apr.)

Children's Literature - Beverly Kobrin

This is the story of a Jewish girl's struggle to assimilate when she immigrates to America. Teachers and students can compare and contrast bias issues by discussing variables like historic periods, ethnicity, race, gender, and responses of the characters. Once students understand prejudice throughout history, you may challenge them to apply their perspectives through reading newspaper coverage of events in Bosnia.

Children's Literature - Susie Wilde

Children's Literature - Jeanne K. Pettenati

Molly and her family have recently emigrated from Russia. Children in her class make fun of the way she talks and dresses. Because Molly has a hard time fitting in, she is unhappy and wishes her family could move back to Russia or New York, where there are other Jewish families. Molly's participation in a school assignment about Thanksgiving pilgrims shows her and her classmates just how much she does belong in America. 1998 (orig.